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A weekend winter storm with the potential to dump a foot or snow or more is on its way to Midwest, with the entire Chicago area along with northern Indiana and southeastern Wisconsin set to be impacted as experts warn of “major” travel impacts and advise drivers to consider shifting their plans. “While we are prepared and ready to devote all of our resources to the latest winter weather event, this weekend’s storm will hit when millions of people are returning home from the holiday,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said in a release. “Please make a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe, including adjusting travel so you are not on the roads when conditions are at their worst.” According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning will take effect starting at 3 a.m. But when exactly is the snow expected to be begin, and what time will driving be the most hazardous? Here’s the latest timeline. When will the snow start? The snow is expected to move into the Chicago area late Friday night and after midnight, starting in the far western counties. By 6 a.m. Saturday, widespread snow will “already be going,” NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kircchaine said, and covering the entire Chicago area. After that, it’s expected to snow “all day long,” Kirchhaine said, picking up intensity in the afternoon and evening. “Highest rates around one inch per hour,” the NWS warned. “Greatest travel impacts expected Saturday afternoon.” In a post on X, the NWS in Northern Indiana warned travelers to consider postponing or avoiding holiday travel over the weekend due to the storm. Here's the latest forecast information regarding the upcoming winter storm. Widespread snowfall of 6-12"+ will result in treacherous post-Thanksgiving travel conditions. Travel may be significantly impacted along the I-69, I-80/I-90, I-94, and US 30 corridors this weekend. pic.twitter.com/cCCeN9gtXj— NWS Northern Indiana (@NWSIWX) November 28, 2025 The Illinois Department of Transportation also warned drivers about the storm, saying travelers should plan accordingly for conditions to deteriorate starting Friday night, with “heavy snow, reduced visibility and slick, slippery conditions with much longer travel times.” “The forecasted winter weather could lead to hazardous driving conditions,” ISP Division of Patrol Col. Chris Owen said in the release. “Think about whether driving is really necessary. Depending on the amount of snow and road conditions, if your vehicle becomes disabled, troopers can help you get to a safe place, but your vehicle will have to wait. Is it worth it?” The NWS warned that travelers should consider delaying travel unless it’s “absolutely necessary,” with driving expected to be very difficult to impossible. Roads and bridges were likely be slick and dangerous, and strong winds along with the weight of snow on tree limbs could cause sporadic power outages. “Drive with extreme caution,” the NWS said. “Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you,” including tire chains, blankets, flashlights, shovels and more. “Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded,” the NWS said. By nighttime, the snow will be lighter, Kircchaine said, tapering off by Sunday morning. When all is said and done, the Chicago area is looking at “big time snow totals.” How much snow is expected in Chicago? Most of the Chicago area was expected to get between eight and 12 inches of snow, with locally higher totals in the north and west suburbs. In far northwestern Illinois, up to 15 inches of “heavy, wet snow” was expected in Quad Cities and Rockford, IDOT said. Further south and southeast, where a wintry mix was possible totals were likely stay between six and eight inches, Kircchaine said.

Kyle Monangai rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown, D’Andre Swift ran for 125 yards and a score, and the Chicago Bears finished with 281 yards on the ground to win their fifth straight game, 24-15 over the reeling Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night. Led by rookie coach Ben Johnson, the surprising Bears (9-3) are alone in first place in the NFC North heading into a Dec. 7 showdown at Green Bay. Last season, the Bears’ Thanksgiving loss at Detroit led to the firing of coach Matt Eberflus and was their sixth straight of what ballooned into a 10-game losing streak. A year later, the Bears bullied Philadelphia’s defensive line for a relatively easy win at the home of the Super Bowl champions. The Eagles (8-4) seemingly had the NFC East wrapped up two weeks ago, only to suffer consecutive defeats that have them looking little like a Super Bowl contender. Perhaps still feeling the sting of turning a 21-0 lead at Dallas on Sunday into a 24-21 loss, the Eagles’ offense showed few signs of snapping out of its funk. Fed-up Philly fans spent the game booing and calling for the team to fire offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. The Eagles’ season has taken such a turn that even the beloved tush push doomed them in this one. With the Eagles trailing 10-9 late in the third quarter, Jalen Hurts fumbled on the tush push deep in Chicago territory and the Bears recovered. The Bears — who have a knack for winning one-score games — turned the turnover into the drive of the day. Monangai ripped off a 31-yard run on the first play and Caleb Williams — who was 17 of 36 for 154 yards and a touchdown — completed a 7-yard pass to Colston Loveland on fourth down that extended the drive. Monangai ran for a 4-yard TD that made it 17-9 early in the fourth, and Williams added the insurance score with a 28-yard TD pass to Cole Kmet for a 24-9 lead. Fans who had been chanting “Fire Kevin!” began flocking toward the exits — and the Eagles will face even more questions about the sorry state of their offense. The Bears don’t care. Even with three linebackers out with injuries, Chicago socked the Eagles from the jump. Philly’s Jalen Hurts threw for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns to disgruntled receiver A.J. Brown, who had 10 catches for 132 yards. Saquon Barkley couldn’t break free against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL and finished with 56 yards rushing. The Eagles ran just 17 plays and had two first downs (with 83 total yards and 26 rushing) in the first half. The Bears totaled 142 rushing yards in the half. Swift, who became the first running back to top 100 yards rushing against the Eagles this season, scored against his former team on a 3-yard run a 7-0 lead. The Bears lead 10-3 when Hurts hit Brown in the third quarter for a 33-yard TD that made it 10-9. Jake Elliott missed the extra point, adding to the list of ugly plays that sunk the Super Bowl champs. Hurts and Brown connected on late 4-yard TD late in the fourth, but the Eagles missed the 2-point conversion attempt to keep it a two-score game. Injuries Bears defensive lineman Andrew Billings was evaluated for a concussion. Up next Bears. Play at NFC North rival Green Bay (8-3-1) on Dec. 7 with the division lead on the line. Eagles: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, Dec. 8.

Two siblings were killed and another hospitalized alongside her father after an apartment fire broke out on Thanksgiving, authorities said. Around 10:39 p.m. Thursday, authorities responded to a report of a fire on the 5200 block of 43rd Avenue in Kenosha, Wisconsin and found a multi-story apartment building on fire upon arrival. A 10-year-old boy and his 9-year-old brother died as a result of the fire, authorities said. Their 7-year-old sister was transported by flight-for-life to a hospital for injuries sustained in the fire. The kids’ father was transported to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, authorities added. The Disaster Response Team was also on scene to provide aid to displaced families. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to call Kenosha Police Detective Marty Howard at 262-605-5284 or Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333. No additional information was immediately available.

Claustrophobic? Don’t go to EPCOT on November 28. The crowds for the opening day of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays are even worse than anyone expected. As families flood Walt Disney World Resort for Thanksgiving week, guests hoping to spend Black Friday eating and drinking around the world faced a long wait at park entry and shoulder-to-shoulder lines. Thanksgiving week is always one of the busiest times of the year at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Parks. Families take advantage of time off work and school to enjoy a vacation without missing any assignments or using PTO days. Prices for Disney Resort hotel rooms are usually at their highest, and Disney Park Pass reservations fill up weeks in advance. The only busier time to visit Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season is the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Crowds Take Over EPCOT Credit: Disney Even so, the crowds for the opening day of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays on Friday shocked even some of the most experienced Disney Park guests. On X (formerly known as Twitter), @WDWNT shared this photo of the madness at the main entrance, shortly before the park opened: LOOOOOOOOOOOONG lines to enter EPCOT right now… LOOOOOOOOOOOONG lines to enter EPCOT right now… pic.twitter.com/pAm8bPrgzS — WDW News Today (@WDWNT) November 28, 2025 Disney Food Blog was also on the scene at EPCOT, and said they “were not expecting” the crowds for the opening day of the annual holiday festival. All Ears echoed the same sentiment, writing that their team was “SHOCKED” by what they described as “wall-to-wall” crowds at the second Central Florida Disney park. Credit: Disney Fans can virtually explore the chaos at EPCOT on November 28, from the long lines at park entry to the International Festival of the Holidays’ exclusive merchandise and food offerings, in this livestream from the YouTube channel Ear To Ear Magic: The easiest way to follow the EPCOT crowds from home is to watch attraction wait times on the My Disney Experience app. Credit: My Disney Experience app At the time of this article’s finalization, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was at an 85-minute wait, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was at an 80-minute wait, Frozen Ever After was at a 65-minute wait, and Soarin’ Around the World was at a 50-minute wait. Unfortunately, Test Track had temporarily closed for an unknown reason. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Credit: Disney The International Festival of the Holidays is EPCOT’s final seasonal event of the year, following the International Food & Wine Festival, International Festival of the Arts, and the International Flower & Garden Festival. Guests can dine and drink at global marketplace booths around the World Showcase, sampling holiday cuisine from various countries. Don’t miss the Holiday Cookie Stroll: pick up a free booklet at park entry and try select sweet treats around the World Showcase to receive a free gift! There’s plenty of entertainment, too. Holiday Storytellers bring yuletide celebrations from around the world to life in front of guests at several World Showcase Pavilions. Guests can make sure they’re on the nice list by visiting Santa Claus at CommuniCore Hall or Santa Goofy at The Odyssey. Credit: Disney Of course, it wouldn’t be a day at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays without a performance of the Candlelight Processional at the America Gardens Theatre. Three times nightly, a guest celebrity narrator leads a talented choir of Disney cast members, herald trumpets, and a 50-piece orchestra in a retelling of the traditional Christmas story. This year’s narrators include Constance Wu, Brendan Fraser, Brie Larson, and more. Arrive early to secure a spot or consider booking a dining package for guaranteed, priority seating. Have you ever experienced the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? Share your favorite…